What is Melanotan?

Though research in the United States has almost entirely ceased, Melanotan is still making its rounds in the medical field as a hopeful solution to a variety of ailments. If you’re interested in getting involved in the research of Melanotan but don’t know where to start, we’ve put together a short background on the chemical and where it stands today.

What is Melanotan?

Melanotan, also known as Melanotan-II, is a synthetic (lab-made) chemical similar to a naturally occurring hormone found in people. It is essentially a synthetic version of an alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone(a-MSH). It is not the same as the sleep aid melatonin.

First synthesized in the early 1990s, though research first began all the way back in the 1960s, by the department of pharmacology at the University of Arizona (UAC) in an effort to battle skin cancer and hopefully reduce the harm caused by harmful ultraviolet light from the sun and other sources.

What is Melanotan Used for?

Used to promote the bodies pigment tissue (melanin) to halt cancer malignancy by strengthening the bodies melanin production without exposure to the sun and possibly help increase the quality of life for those who suffer from albinism by increasing the skin’s resilience to sunburn and cancer. In the simplest of terms, it helps people tan better, offering protection from the sun’s harmful rays.

Research of Melanotan

Research had some initial success in animal (rabbits, rats, monkeys, etc.) testing, though, due to its relatively short half-life, it fell out of favor among researchers when they shifted focus to a more stable alternative. Initial research showed that when test subjects were exposed to ultraviolet beams, melanin was secreted chiefly upon the skin. Though this is a normal occurrence known as melanogenesis (which is the bodies organic defense from damaging UV rays from the sun), the introduction of Melanotan in the test subjects, administered via injection, showed a significant increase in production.

In short, research on animals has shown the product to be successful but has not been cleared for human use in the U.S, though it has recently been approved for patient use in Europe for its initial discovery purpose. In fact, human use is rare and can only be used under prescription from a licensed medical doctor.

Side Effects

Though not enough research has been completed to get the green-light for human consumption, during clinical trials during the research phase, researchers and clinicians noted a few side effects including:

Nausea

Stomach Cramps

Decreased appetite

Flush skin

Fatigue/yawning

Darkened skin

Another noted side effect was the increase in libido in both men (including spontaneous erections of the penis) and women. Preliminary studies to create a drug to combat erectile dysfunction were held but never made it past a clinical study in 2000 in the U.S.

Melanotan

Like most drugs, Melanotan is a synthetic compound that interacts with the body to achieve the desired result; in this case, prevention of skin cancer and protection from UV rays. Though extensive research has been completed elsewhere in the world, the U.S. has chosen to invest in researching alternatives. If you’re interested in further research, we have what you need! Simply place your order, we’ll verify, process and ship your research-quality Melanotan straight to your address.